Contact: Julia Bickerstaff
Deloitte
Partner
0414 790 288

Contact: Melinda Loew
Deloitte
Media Relations
02 9322 7146

Contact: Damien Tampling
Deloitte
Partner
9322 5890

Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, the Hon. Senator Coonan, today announced the 2006 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Australia winner was Unwired Group Limited, which achieved a growth rate of 6,846% over three years.

Senator Coonan said the Deloitte Fast 50 results were the strongest ever recorded and reflected the resurgence of the Australian technology industry as leaders in the Asia Pacific region.

“This year companies ranked in the Fast 50 recorded a minimum growth level of 132%,” Senator Coonan said.

Deloitte Technology Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Partner, Julia Bickerstaff, said the results this year were so strong, that the top 70 Australian companies would be included in the ranking of the Deloitte 500 fastest growing companies in the Asia Pacific region this year.

“The top five companies in 2006 would have headed the Australian list in each of the past five years, with the exception of 2004, when Bill Express topped the ranking in Asia Pacific with over 54,000% growth.

“Unwired’s winning growth rate of 6,846% was the second highest growth rate ever recorded since the program began in 2001,” Ms Bickerstaff said.

“For the second year running the fastest growing industry segment in the Deloitte Technology 50 was internet based companies, with 34% of the companies from this sector. 

“The success of these companies reflects the growing market appetite for internet and broadband services.

“However, the successful new breed of technology companies have learnt from the ‘tech wreck’ and put in place solid business models with steady incremental growth targets that were more cash flow positive and therefore, more profitable,” Ms Bickerstaff said.

For the full Press Release, please see attached.